New Ulm weekly review., 1887-04-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, March 25th, 1888

Washington, March 25th, 1882
Now that the long ng-looked for event Of
the appointment of Interstate Com
merce Commissioners is q thing Of the
past other important questions in con
nection with them have arisen. Each
individual member of the board has
been fully discussed from every stand
point, viewed through and through,
and allowed to pass as an honest, able
man, whether or not he can do any
thing that will rebound to his credit as
regards the great crude problem which
he is called upon to grapple.
The next question is, where will the
uew court sit? This puzzles Secretary
Lamar. He is expected to furnish the
necessary accommodations, and the In
terror Department is already over
crowded. The truth is, this constantly
growing Government has no room any
where for new bureau, and not half
enough for many Of its old ones. If
the Commission is fit to survive the op-
position, storms and conflicts which
await it during the term of six years for
which it was appointed, Uncle Sam will
doubtless be ready by that time to erect
a commodious building for its special
use. At present they will be compelled
to seek more humble quarters. Among
the houses offered for their use is one
that was formerly occupied as a resi-
dence by Mr.. Blaine.
The first office of Importance under
the commission is that of Secretary,
and candidates are being brought for
ward. In the organization and man
agement of new branch Of the service
of SO much Importance as this Commits
sion, its Secretary will have large
amount of business to attend to and
of necessity must be q man of fine
ability and one who has some
knowledge Of the organization and rou-
tine of the Government Departments.
The establishment of q new Federal
office here, the employ ymeut of a large
clerical and official force here, and
the tlocking to headquarters of thou
sands of people, railroad men and
others interested in questions coming
before the Commission, will have the
effect OF adding much to the activity Of
the summer in Washington.
Every day the Civil Service Commis-
sioners receive letters from persons
who desire to enter competitive exami-
nations for clerkships under the new
Interstate Commerce Commission.
But the clerical force to be employed
in this service will not come under the
provisions of the civil service law unless
the President sanctions and promul-
gates rule to that effect
Just at this time there are pending
befor the United States Pension Office
2S7, 1877 claims. The claims are re-
ceived at the rate of about six thousand
a week. The number of pension GER
tifcates issued every week is about two
thousand, and over that number is re-
jected weekly. On account of the Mex
ican Pension acts of Jan. 9, 1887, the
Pension Office is embarrassed now for
lack OF sufficient working force. It is
to-day that one hundred clerks of this
bureau, who have volunteered their
service, begin to work extra hours on
the claims ofa the Mexican veterans.
Their extra labors are required until
the end Of the present fiscal year.
Recorder Trotter, who has had so
many vicissitudes during his brief Off
cial career in Washington, is again ly-
ing at the point Of death at his K street
residence. Stricken down with pneu-
monia week ago, he seemed to rally
after few days, but has again relapsed,
and little hope is entertained of his re-
covery. The most physicians of the ci-
ty have been called in consultation, and
all that medical science could suggest
has been done for the patient. Kindly
inquiries have been daily made as to
Mr.. Trotter's condition, and many
prominent people have shown sincere
sympathy in his behalf.
The appointment of Garratt Smith
Logan as deputy recorder of deeds was
filed in the office of the clerk of the
court Saturday afternoon. He is a son
Of the late Bishop Logan, Of the M. E.
Church, is quite light in color, and is a
brother-in-law of ex-recorder Mathews.
Since it is at last authoritatively an
nounced that the Assistant Secretary is
to be Mr.. Manning's successor, I can
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